Aviva Premiership: Gloucester open squad contract talks

Gloucester are set to open contract talks with their squad, with 24 players' deals expiring at the end of the season.

Last Updated: 27/08/13 2:18pm

Billy Twelvetrees (right): Is one of 24 Gloucester players out of contract at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Amongst those moving into the last year of their contract are England duo Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees as well as former All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan.

If the players fail to agree new terms then they will be able to sign for other clubs from January 2014, meaning the Cherry and Whites have until then to secure their star men and director of rugby Nigel Davies is confident Gloucester can do just that despite being unable to match some of their rivals in terms of money.

"We did some things this year that the club hasn't done in previous years, only little things, like taking the players to a race day and for a meal," Davies told the Gloucester Citizen.

Unique

"They are little things, but they mean a lot, it shows the club cares, and we do. We're looking to progress that, and actually provide a package for Gloucester players that is unique.

"We're not going to compete with some clubs purely on a monetary level, but there are other things we do that go over and above that. Last year we didn't lose anyone we didn't want to lose, so we were able to manage that process reasonably well.

"This year we're a bit further down the track, and I suppose we're victims really of the performance of individuals and the team collectively at times last year."

Davies also believes the strides a number of their squad have made in international rugby could work against them as look to tie them down to new deals.

"We've got a lot more international rugby players," he said. "All of a sudden their profile increases and that puts us under pressure when it comes to re-signing. But the important thing is that these guys realise it's not all about money. Money is important to these players, as it's a relatively short career.

"But the environment they're working in and whether they're enjoying their rugby or not also has to have a big part to play in all that. I'm sure all the boys in the squad are enjoying their rugby and the environment, and they'll appreciate that as much as anyone else."